High-voltage circuit breaking devices, notably for a shielded-type prefabricated electric station

ABSTRACT

Electric breaker device for high-voltage wiring system, which comprises a casing of electrically insulating material closed by a metal cover, a pair of movable contact rods per phase, adapted to be moved vertically by means of a mechanism, said rods having their upper portions made of electrically insulating material or of an externally insulated conducting material and conducting lower portions, said conducting portions of said rods being interconnected by a conducting bridge, a pair of contact members each connected to a conductor, such as a cable head or bar, and adapted to be each connected to the other rod in one of their positions, and a ground circuit, characterized in that a third contact member connected to said ground circuit is disposed in the vicinity of the upper portion of said casing, said third contact member being electrically connected to one of said conductors, such as a cable head, through said conducting bridge and at least one of said rods in the grounding condition of the device. The actuating mechanism includes two seperate control members, actuation of one control rod raising and lowering both contact rods simultaneously, and actuation of the other control rod raising and lowering only one of the contact rods.

United States Patent [72] lnventors Yves Boltshorn Villiers-sur-Marne;Jean-Pierre II. Boudiak, Gagny, both of France [21] Appl. No. 10,794[22] Filed Feb. 12, 1970 [45] Patented Nov. 23, 1971 [73] AssigneeCOQ-France Pantin, France [32] Priority Dec. 9, 1969 [33] France [31]6942447 [54] HIGH-VOLTAGE CIRCUIT BREAKING DEVICES,

NOTABLY FOR A SHIELDED-TYPE PREFABRICATED ELECTRIC STATION 8 Claims, 21Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 200/163, 200/48 R [51] Int. Cl ..I-I0lh 31/24 [50] Field ofSearch 200/163, 148 8,48 R, 150, 50C

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,166,590 7/1939 Nijland200/163 X 2,458,792 1/1949 Nijland..... 200/163 X 2,700,718 1/1955Nijlandm. 200/163 X 3,317,683 5/1967 Clark 200/50 CX FOREIGN PATENTS1,438,917 4/1966 France 200/50 C 966,204 7/1957 Germany 200/48 R1,203,858 10/1965 Germany 200/48 R Primary ExaminerR0bert K. SchaeferAssistant Examiner-Robert A. Vanderhye Attorney-Cushman, Darby & CushmanABSTRACT: Electric breaker device for high-voltage wiring system, whichcomprises a casing of electrically insulating material closed by a metalcover, a pair of movable contact rods per phase, adapted to be movedvertically by means ofa mechanism, said rods having their upper portionsmade of electrically insulating material or of an externally insulatedconducting material and conducting lower portions, said conductingportions of said rods being interconnected by a conducting bridge, apair of contact members each connected to a conductor, such as a cablehead or bar, and adapted to be each connected to the other rod in one oftheir positions, and a ground circuit, characterized in that a thirdcontact member connected to said ground circuit is disposed in thevicinity of the upper portion of said casing, said third contact memberbeing electrically connected to one of said conductors, such as a cablehead, through said conducting bridge and at least one of said rods inthe grounding condition of the device. The actuating mechanism includestwo seperate control members, actuation of one control rod raising andlowering both contact rods simultaneously, and actuation of the othercontrol rod raising and lowering only one of the contact rods.

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HIGH-VOLTAGE CIRCUIT BREAKING DEVICES, NOTABLY FOR A SHIELDED-TYPEPREFABRICATED ELECTRIC STATION This invention relates to electricbreaking devices for highvoltage circuits or systems, notably forprefabricated electric station units of the so-called shielded" orsealed-in" type.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In high-voltage wiring systemscharge-breaking switches are frequently used in conjunction withgrounding sectionalizing switches the former for breaking the variouscircuits of the system and the latter for grounding the cable ends whenthe station unit is dead and it is desired to perform service of otheroperations on its cables.

Conventional open prefabricated station units in which the electricinsulation is provided by an atmospheric air medium incorporate as arule two separate apparatus for performin g these different functions.

In prefabricated station units of the so-called shielded" or sealed-intype the present trend is towards a limitation of the number ofapparatus in order to minimize cost and overall dimensions; in the sameframe of spirit various station constructions have been developedwherein a single breaking switch provides the two functions set forthhereinabove; thus, it is known to provide a station unit wherein thebreaker is converted into a grounding sectionalizing switch by replacingthe conventional sliding contact rods with special devices, withoutrequiring any manual intervention on the apparatus.

Another solution was also advocated which eliminates any intervention atthe contact level and is based on the principle of tumbling the breakerwhich can thus have two positions: a normal position (set of bars) and atilted position (ground).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a breaker devicewherein neither auxiliary intervention intervention nor any change ofposition are required for converting the apparatus from its breakerfunction to its sectionalizing or grounding function, and vice versa.

The electric breaker device for high-voltage wiring system according tothis invention, which comprises in a casing or vessel of electricallyinsulating material, closed by a metal cover, a pair of movable contactrods per phase, adapted to be moved vertically by means of a suitablemechanism, said rods having their upper portions made of a suitableelectrically insulating material (or a conducting material linedexternally with a suitable insulating material), and conducting lowerportions, said conducting lower portions of said rods beinginterconnected by a conducting bridge, a pair of contact member eachconnected to a conductor (such as a cable heads or bar) and each adaptedto be connected to one of said rods in one of their positions, and aground circuit, is characterized essentially in that a third contactmember connected to said ground circuit is provided in close vicinity ofthe upper portion of said casing and electrically connected to one ofsaid conductors (cable heads) through said bridge and at least one ofsaid rods in the grounding position of said device.

According to a specific feature of this invention, said conductingbridge comprises at least one through-contact adapted to slide along theconducting portion ofone ofsaid rods.

According to another feature characterizing this invention, at least oneof said rods can be separated both electrically and mechanically fromsaid bridge.v

According to a first form of embodiment of this last-named feature, oneof said rods is replaced by a fully conducting grounding rod adapted toprovide an electrical connection between said bridge and said groundcircuit through said third contact member in the grounding position ofthe device.

According to a further feature of this invention, said conducting bridgecomprises a second through-contact permitting retracting of said secondrod and the replacement thereof, in the grounding position of thedevice, by an insulated rod used for cable-testing purposes.

According to another feature characterizing this invention, one of saidrods is adapted on the one hand to be separated mechanically from saidconducting bridge while preserving an electrical connection thereof, andon the other hand to be locked in relation to the metal cover of saidcasing.

According to a specific form of embodiment of the feature disclosed inthe last paragraph hereinabove, the mechanical separation of said rodfrom said bridge and/or the locking of said rod in relation to saidmetal cover is or are obtained by simply rotating said rod about itsaxis.

According to a preferred constructional arrangement incorporating thisspecific form of embodiment. said rod comprises a pair of studsprojecting from two generatrices angularly spaced part, said studs beingadapted, when said rod has been rotated through the good angle, toengage by turns a pair of fingers carried the one by said bridge and theother by the upper portion of said casing or vessel,

According to another form of embodiment of this invention, said rodactuating mechanism controlled by means of two separate members ischaracterized in that one of said control members operates both rodssimultaneously and the other control member actuates only one of saidrods.

According to a specific feature of this form of embodiment, saidmechanism comprises a pair of springs (or groups of springs) one of saidsprings (or groups of springs) actuating one rod while the whole of saidsprings are adapted to move both rods simultaneously, the first springor group of springs being tensioned and releasable by said first controlmember, and the whole of said springs are adapted to be tensioned andreleased by said second control member.

According to a first and fragmentary form of embodiment of this specificfeature one of said control members consists of a first control everprovided with a handle disposed externally of the device and adapted topivot about a fixed axis, another control lever being angularly rigidwith said first lever and adapted to drive a finger engaging the studsrigid with one end of said springs to permit the stressing of all thesprings in both sections of the mechanism when said first lever is movedfrom one to the other of its two extreme positions while holding theopposite ends of said springs by means of latches and allowing thesprings to expand at the end of the stressing movement by releasing saidlatches through the inherent movement of said lever, whereby both rodsare actuated simultaneously.

According to another form of embodiment of this specific feature thesecond control member consists of a lever provided with a handledisposed externally of the breaking device and pivoted about a fixedaxis (which may be the same as that of said first control member);another lever angularly rigid with said second lever is adapted to drivea finger engaging a stud rigid with the end of a spring and permits ofstressing the setting spring of that section of the mechanism which isassociated with only one of the contact rods when said second lever ismoved from one to the other of its extreme positions while holding theother end of said spring by means of a latch and permitting theexpansion of said spring at the end of the setting movement by releasingsaid latch by means of the inherent movement of said lever, so as toactuate one of the contact rods.

According to a further form of embodiment of this invention, all themovements are obtained from a single spring or group of springs, thesame spring or group or springs being adapted to actuate either a singlesection or both sections of the mechanism.

According to a specific feature of this last disclosed form ofembodiment the mechanism comprises two control levers adapted to pivotabout an axis, a first lever being provided with a cam contour adaptedto engage with a coupling member adapted in turn to lock together thepush members of said two rods and to actuate the lock bolt of a latch inorder to release one of said pair of push members, the first leverfurther acting upon a link rigid with the spring stressing strap, alatch consisting of a lever fulcrumed about a fixed axis being adaptedto hold the second push member at the end of the spring stressingmovement, said latch being released during IOIOIO76 the spring stressingmovement by the setting strap, thus permitting the downward stroke ofthe second push member and the coupling members of which a positioningstud runs along a fixed guide member and carries along the first pushmember.

According to another feature of this invention a link solid with thespring stressing strap is pivoted to said second control lever.

According to a specific form of embodiment of the various teatures setforth hereinabove, clutch means are interposed in the kinematic chainbetween each control lever and the spring stressing strap.

The attached drawings illustrate diagrammatically by way of example fourdifferent forms of embodiment of this invention; in the drawing:

FIG. I illustrates in vertical section a breaker device according to afirst form of embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic section of the device shown in FIG. I butconverted into a sectionalizing grounding switch by means of a rodsubstitution in the open-circuit position, and

FIG. 3 is a similar diagram showing the closed position of the samemember;

FIG. 4 is a similar diagram showing the same device but in the case of acable-testing operation;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are diagrammatic sectional views showing a breaker deviceaccording to a second form of embodiment of this invention, in the openand closed positions, respectively, the transformation of the deviceinto a sectionalizing grounding device taking place without any rodsubstitution;

FIGS. 7 and 8 are similar views of the same form of embodiment butconverted into a sectionalizing grounding device;

FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic elevational view of a three-phase breakerdevice according to a third form of embodiment of the invention;

FIG. I0 is a part-sectional diagram showing one phase of the device ofthe same third form of embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 11, I2 and 13 are diagrammatic views showing, in the case of thesame third form of embodiment of the invention,

the positions of the component elements of the device and of the firstcontrol member in the open breaker," set and closed" conditionsrespectively;

FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate diagrammatically, in the case of this thirdform of embodiment, the positions of the component elements of thedevice and of the second control member in the set and "closed"grounding sectionalizing-switch conditions, respectively;

FIGS. l6, l7 and 18 illustrate diagrammatically a fourth form ofembodiment of the device wherein the component elements thereof and thefirst control member are in an open, set" and closed" conditions,respectively;

FIGS. I9 and 20 illustrate diagrammatically for this fourth form ofembodiment, the positions of the component elements of the device and ofthe second control member thereof in the "set" and closed" conditions,respectively, and

FIG. 21 is a detail view showing the clutch means associated with one ofthe control levers.

As clearly shown in the drawing the breaker device according to thisinvention which is adapted to operate on the one hand as a device forbreaking a high-voltage electric circuit and on the other hand as agrounding sectionalizing device, comprises an external casingcharacterized by a vessel 1 of electrically insulating material, filledwith a suitable dielectric liquid substance 2 and closed at its top by ametal cover 3 (adapted on the other hand to constitute the base of aconventional mechanism, not shown). The lower portion of this vessel Imay be divided into two cups la and lb as described and illustrated inthe copending patent application No. 10,792 filed Feb. 12,1970 by thesame applicants said cups comprising each a transverse partition such as10 through which extend a contact member 4 (or 5) provided with doubleplug-in contact means 4a, 4b (5a, 5b). The upper contact means 40 and 5aare the breaking contacts of a breaker device and in the closedcondition of this device they receive the ends of sliding rods 6 and 7electrically interconnected through a conducting bridge piece 8.

The lower contact means 4b and 5b are likewise plug-in contacts adaptedto be connected directly or indirectly to connecting conductors 9 and 10(cable heads, set of bars, etc.

Another contact 14 connected to a ground circuit is provided at or nearthe upper portion of the vessel 1.

Each rod 6, 7 comprises an upper portion 6a (or 70) of electricallyinsulating material (or externally insulated conducting material) and alower portion 6b (or 7b) of electrically conducting material; theconducting bridge 8 interconnecting said lower portions 6b and 717 alsoacts as a coupling yoke permitting the simultaneous translation of rods6 and 7.

It will be noted that the breaker device comprises two poles per phase;it therefore affords a substantial reduction in the length of theopening stroke, due to the duality of rods 6 and 7.

In the specific form of embodiment contemplated herein the mechanicalconnections between said bridge 8 and the rods 6, 7 may differ but inall cases the electrical connection is maintained.

According to the form of embodiment illustrated in FIG. I the mode ofoperation is shown diagrammatically in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the yoke-bridge8 actuated by an insulated rod II responsive to a conventional mechanism(not shown) comprises a pair of through contacts (of annular, segmentalor other suitable and known configuration) resiliently engaging theconducting portions 6b, 7b of rods 6 and 7. It may also be noted that inthis specific form of embodiment the presence of contacts of thischaracter is justified by the fact that the rods 6 and 7 must be adaptedto be separated from the bridge 8 in specific cases to be describedpresently.

FIG. I illustrates the breaker device in the position establishing acircuit between connecting conductors 9 and 10, such as 9, 4b, 4a, 6b,8, 7b, 5a, 5b and 10.

In contrast thereto, when the pair of rods 6 and 7 and the bridge 8 arein their upper positions the same circuit is open since portions 6b and7b are separated from contacts 40 and 5a.

In the case of the form of embodiment illustrated in FIG. I the secondfunction of the device, i.e., the grounding function, notably as far asthe connecting conductor 10 is concerned, the half-conducting,half-insulating rod 6 is replaced, as shown in FIG. 2, by a fullyconducting rod 15 comprising two sections of different diameter, namelya section 15a of, greater diameter adapted to be clamped by contact 14and a section 15b of smaller diameter adapted to slide through contactof bridge 8. This assembly operates as follows: when the device is open(rods 6 and 7, bridge 8 in their upper positions), the rod 6 is removedand replaced by a rod 15 of the above-described type; then bridge 8 isgrounded; the device is subsequently closed, rod 11 lowers the bridge 8and also rods 7 and 15. Rod 7 is thus plugged in contact 5a (FIG. 3).Since rod 15 cannot reach contact 4, the ground circuit is obtainedthrough elements I0, 5b, 5a, 7b, 12b, 8, 12a, 15b, 15a and 14.

As clearly shown in FIG. 4, upon completion of the grounding operationthe rod 7 can be removed and replaced by a cable-testing rod 16 so thatthe connection 10 can be tested, this connection leading for example tothe cable head.

The conducting bridge 8 as explained hereinabove is grounded andconstitutes a shield between connection 9 (connected for example to oneof the bars constituting the set of bars of the device) and connection10 (connected for instance to the cable head) thus protecting theoperator against any risk of stray flux.

Of course, the rods 6 and 7 are held or locked against movement inrelation to the bridge 8 during the operation of the device. Thislocking action may be obtained for example by using so-called bayonetcoupling, rod 6 (or 7) carrying a stud l7 engaging a groove formed in ananchor member I3 rigid with bridge 8. It will be readily understood thatit is only necessary to rotate the rods 6 and about their axes forlocking or releasing them in relation to said bridge 8.

In the modified form of embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 8 inclusivethe grounding operation does not require a rod substitution as the samerod 18 is used both as a braking member and as a groundingsectionalizing member. The two positions of rod 18 may be obtained bysimply rotating this rod, possibly in synchronized relationship throughmechanical coupling means provided between the different single-phaserods in case the station unit is of the multiphase type.

As in the above-described example each rod 6 (or 7) comprises a radialstud such as 17 permitting of locking the bridge 8 by inserting thisstud into a retaining member 13 somewhat as in a bayonet coupling.

This rod 18, like the rod 6 of the first form of embodiment, consistspartly of conducting metal 18b and partly of insulating material 18a.The conducting section 18b comprises at its junction with the insulatingsection a conducting projection 18c (enlarged portion, collar portion,etc.).

To obtain the "switching function (open, FIG. 5, or closed, FIG. 6) therod 18 is mechanically and electrically connected or rigid with bridge 8and moves bodily therewith during the upward and downward strokes.

On the other hand, to obtain the grounding or grounding sectionalizingdevice" function, the rod 18 is held against movement and its conductingprojection 180 is, grounded in this case via contact 14, its conductingsection 18b sliding through the contact 120 of bridge 8.

In this case the rod 18 is held against movement by providing a secondstud 19 carried by this rod 18 above the projection 18c (this stud 19being located on one generatrix of rod 18 which is spaced 90 apart fromthat receiving the first stud 17), second stud 19 being adapted toengage a finger 20 rigid with the vessel 1 above the ground contact 14.

After opening the device (FIG. 5) it is only necessary to rotate the rod18 through 90 for causing the stud 17 to be released from anchor member13 (mechanical separation of 8 from 18) and causing the other stud 19 tobe engaged under 20 (anchoring of 8 and 1), whereby this rod will remainstationary during the movements of the conducting bridge 8 of which thecontact 12a slides along this now stationary rod.

As will be seen in FIG. 8, the device in its closing condition then actsas a sectionalizing device to provide a ground circuit between conductorand ground 14 via elements 10, 5b, 5a, 717, 1217, 8, 12a, 18b, 18c and14.

According to the third modified form of embodiment illustrated in FIGS.9 to inclusive the device is converted from a breaker device to agrounding sectionalizing device without requiring any manualintervention as far as contact rods are concerned; both functions areobtained through two separate control members 21 and 22.

The device according to this third modified form ofembodiment is shownin elevational view in FIG. 9 and comprises three chambers 1 (one perphase) and connections 9a, 9b and 90 (designated by the generalreference numeral 9 in FIG. 10) connected to bars 23a, 23b and 230,respectively (general reference numeral 23 in FIG. 10). The controlmechanism is enclosed in a casing C from the opposite sides of whichproject the ends 24a and 24b of coaxial shafts which are provided withcontrol levers 21, 22 ending with handles 21a and 22a, respectively,constituting the control members mentioned in the foregoing.

As clearly shown in FIGS. 10 to 15 inclusive the breaker device properlyso-called consisting essentially of a pair of parallel sliding rods 6and 7 interconnected by a conducting bridge 8 is housed in theinsulating chamber 1 of each phase, divided at its lower portion intotwo poles 1a and 1b containing the double contact members 4 and 5respectively, as in the other forms of embodiment described hereinabove.The conducting bridge 8 is rigid with rod 7 but comprises a throughcontact 12b engaged by the other rod 6; overlying this bridge 8 is agrounded sliding contact 14 adapted to coact with rod 6.

Each plug-in contact element 5b of member 5 is engaged by a rod 10leading to a cable head 25.

Under these conditions, it is clear that when both sliding rods 6 and 7are in their lower position (FIG. 13) with their ends clamped in contactelements 40 and 50, an electric circuit is formed from bar 23 to cablehead 25 through the path 9, 4a, 4b, 6, 12a, 8, 7, 5b. 5a, and 23. Thus,the device acts as a breaker switch.

When both rods are in their upper position the same circuit is opensince the rods 6 and 7 are extracted from their relevant clampingcontact elements 4a and 5a.

Now a two-section mechanism will be described, the design and functionof this mechanism being such that one section operates both rodssimultaneously and the other section operates only one rod.

Referring to FIGS. ll, 12 and 13, it will be seen that a setting member21 provided with a control handle 21a is adapted, when pivoted about thestationary axis of shafts 24a, 24b, to cause the angular movement of alever 33 having one end rigid with said setting member 21 and its otherend pivotally engaged in a push member 26 jointly engaging registeringand coplanar ledges 27 and 28 rigidly connected to one end ofcompression springs 29 and 30, respectively.

At the end of this downward stroke, lock or latch means of conventionaland known type, for example as shown diagrammatically at 31 and 32, areadapted to release the ledges 27 and 28, respectively. The device havingpreviously been operated as a breaker has closed the circuit asexplained hereinabove.

These springs 29 and 30 are shown in their released condition in FIG. 11and in their stressed condition in FIG. 12. When compressed or stressedthese springs 29 and 30 can move the pair of rods 6 and 7 until theirlower ends are clamped by the contact elements 4a and 5a respectively(FIG. 13).

Referring more particularly to FIGS. 14 and 15, it will be seen thatcontrol lever 22 provided with a handle 22a is fulcrumed about a fixedaxis materialized by shaft 2412; it is angularly solid with an arm 34having its outer end pivoted to a push member 35 holding a stud 36 rigidwith the lower end of spring 29, a latch member 32 keeping the spring 29in its compressed stressed condition.

Under these conditions, the angular movement of arm 22 acts only uponthe spring 29, thus causing the downward stroke of rod 7 and bridge 8,the other rod 6 remaining in its upper position, in this case.

To sum up, actuating the control lever 21 will stress both springs 29and 30, and actuating the control lever 22 will stress only spring 29.Under these conditions, by using the member 21 the operator will stressor set both springs of the mechanism in a single movement, and at theend of the setting movement (FIG. 12) as both latch means 31 and 32operate simultaneously the two groups of rods 6 and 7 also operatesynchronously, thus providing a connecting action as a switch member(FIG. 13); on the other hand, when lever 22 alone is actuated (FIG, 14),only one fraction of the spring means is stressed, namely the springsassociated with rod 6 connected to the cable box 25. When the latch 32is dropped at the end of the setting movement, rod 6 moves while rod 7remains stationary, so as to keep the bridge 8 grounded throughout thestroke. In this position the apparatus is connected as a groundingsectionalizing device (FIG. 15

The release steps take place in a similar fashion but in the reverseorder.

The above-described apparatus is advantageously incorporated inmetal-casing prefabricated wiring systems, but it is obvious that thebasic principle of this invention is also applicablev to theconstruction of conventional general-purpose switchgears.

In the modified form of embodiment illustrated in FIG. 16 the mechanismcomprises a same and single spring for performing all the maneuverscontemplated.

As clearly shown in this FIG. 16, the control lever 21 provided with ahandle 21a is fulcrumed about a fixed spindle or shaft 24 and compriseson the one hand a pivot pin to which is attached a link 100a rigid witha setting strap 101 and on the other hand a cam member 102 coacting witha coupling member 103 for engaging the two push movable members 104 and105 to which the pair of contact rods 6 and 7 are attached.

During the setting movement the control lever 21 compresses through link100a and setting strap 101 the spring 106 at causes jointly through itscam member 102 the movement of coupling member 103, thus providing am'echanical 104 and 10S, and therefore the associated contact rods 6 and7 connecting electrically the both conductors (for example the set ofbars 23 and cable head 25, FIG. 18). The coupling member 103 is providedwith a positioning stud 110 which, during the movements of said pushmembers, slides along a guide slot 111 formed in a fixed portion of themechanism, thus ensuring an accurate positioning of said couplingmember.

The latch 107 is double and has its two studs disposed on either side ofthe mechanism; the simultaneous movements of these studs are obtained bymeans of the transverse shaft 112, and the release takes place in theopposite direction with the assistance of latch member 113.

As shown in FIG. 19, the lever 22 provided with a control handle 22a isfulcrumed about the fixed spindle 24a. lt comprises a pivot pin 114 fromwhich a link 115 solid with the setting strap 101 is suspended.

During the setting movement the control lever 22 compresses the spring106 through link 115 and setting strap 101, and at the end of thismovement said strap releases the latch 109, thus permitting theexpansion of spring 106 and therefore the movement of push member 104 towhich contact 7 is attached (FIG. 20).

On the other hand, and as also shown in FIG. 19, the second lever 22 hasno cam portion and therefore does not actuate the coupling member; underthese conditions, on the one hand the two push members are independentof each other and on the other hand the latch member 107 keeps holdingin a fixed position the push member 105 and the rod 6 attached theretoand electrically connected via ground contact 14 to the metal cover ofthe breaker device.

The conducting bridge 8 rigid with rod 7 moves bodily with push member105 by sliding along the fixed contact rod 6 to the'closed" position ofthe switch device when an electrical connection is established from theground contact 14 through fixed rod 6, through contact 12b, conductingbridge 8, movable rod 7, and the breaking contact element a connected inturn to means (for example a cable head). This corresponds to the"closed condition of the breaker device as a grounding sectionalizingdevice (FIG. The release movement takes place in the reverse directionwith the assistance of latch member 113.

To prevent the movement of the first lever from causing the movement ofthe second lever, and vice versa, during the setting operation, theselevers are adapted to be disconnected from each other as shown indiagrammatic form in FIG. 21. It is clear that in their inoperativepositions these levers are urged by a spring 116 for engagement with thefixed portion 108 of the mechanism so as to be disconnected in relationto link 100a (position a").

During the initial portion of the setting movement, due to the presenceof a member 117 provided with a cam face, the lever moves along its axisor horizontally and causes a pin 100 to engage an orifice formed in saidlink, thus providing a mechanical coupling between these two members(position b").

Both levers are provided with this clutch device and a device of knowntype (not shown) is also provided for interlocking these levers andpositively preventing the operation of one lever when the other leverhas started its movement.

As will readily occur to those conversant with the art. the variousforms of embodiment of the breaker and grounding sectionalizing devicedescribed and illustrated herein can easily be incorporated inprefabricated electric station units.

Although a few forms of embodiment of the invention have been shown anddescribed herein, it is obvious that many modifications and variationsmay be brought thereto without departing from the basic principles ofthe invention as set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed as new is:

1. Electric breaker device for high-voltage wiring system, whichcomprises a casing of electrically insulating material closed by a metalcover, a pair of movable contact rods per phase, adapted to be movedvertically by means of a mechanism, said rods having their upperportions made of electrically insulating material or of an externallyinsulated conducting material and conducting lower portions, saidconducting portions of said rods being interconnected by a conductingbridge, a pair of contact members each connected to a conductor, such asa cable head or bar, and adapted to be each connected to the other rodin one of their positions, and a ground circuit, characterized in that athird contact member connected to said ground circuit is disposed in thevicinity of the upper portion of said casing, said third contact memberbeing electrically connected to one of said conductors, such as a cablehead, through said conducting bridge and at least one of said rods inthe grounding condition of the device; a contact rod actuating mechanismfor raising and lowering the contact rods; said actuating mechanismincluding two separate control members, actuation of one control rodraising and lowering both contact rods simultaneously and actuation ofthe other control rod raising and lowering only one of the contact rods.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said mechanismcomprises two springs or groups of springs of which one actuates one rodwhile all of said springs actuate both rods simultaneously, the firstspring or group of springs being stressed and released by the firstcontrol member and all of said springs being stressed and released bythe second control member.

3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that one of the controlmembers consists of a lever provided with a handle disposed externallyof the device and adapted to pivot about a fixed axis, an arm angularlyrigid with said control lever and adapted to move a finger engagingstuds rigid with one end of said springs whereby the springs associatedwith the two sections of the mechanism can be stressed jointly duringthe movement of said first control lever from one end to the other ofits end positions while retaining the other end of said springs throughlatch means and allowing said springs to operate at the end of thesetting movement by releasing said latch means through the inherentmovement of the arm thus actuating simultaneously two rods.

4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the second controlmember consists of a lever provided with a handle disposed externally ofthe device and pivoted about a fixed axis which may be the same as thatof the first control member, said second control lever being angularlysolid with the end of a spring and permitting of stressing the settingspring of that section of the mechanism which is associated with onlyone of said contact rods when said second lever is moved from one to theother of its two end positions while holding the other spring end bymeans of a latch and allowing the spring to expand at the end of thesetting movement by releasing the latch as a consequence of the inherentmovement of said lever so as to actuate one of said contact rods.

5. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the two controlmembers are pivotally mounted about a common axis, one of the controlmembers being provided with a cam member engaging with its contour acoupling member adapted to operate jointly the push members of saidcontact rods and also to actuate the bolt of a latching device forreleasing one of said push members, the one control member also actingupon a link attached to a spring stressing strap, a latch consisting ofan arm fulcrumed to a fixed pivot pin being adapted to hold said secondpush member upon completion of the setting movement, said last-namedlatch being released during the setting movement of said strap so as topermit the downward movement of the second push member and the couplingmembers of which a positioning stud engages a fixed guide member and isadapted to carry along the first push member.

6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the end of thesecond member has fulcrumed thereto a link attached to the settinglever.

7. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that clutch means areinterposed in the kinematic chain between each control member and thesetting strap.

8. An electric circuit breaker for a high-voltage wiring system,comprising:

a casing constructed of electrically insulating material;

two movable contact rods per phase, vertically disposed within thecasing for vertical sliding between an upper position and a lowerposition, each rod having a lower, electrically conductive portion andan upper, electrically insulating portion;

two contact members in said casing for each respective two movablecontact rods, each contact member being constructed to connect with arespective conductor such as a cablehead or bar exteriorly of the casingand each contact member being positioned for electrical connection withthe conductive portion of a respective one of said contact ro'ds uponmovement of that contact rod to the lower position thereof;

a conducting bridge electrically connecting the conductive portions ofthe two contact rods via means including at least one annular contact onthe bridge, said annular contact slidably receiving the respectivecontact rod conductive portion whereby said respective contact rod maybe moved between the upper and lower positions thereof, moving relativeto the conducting bridge, yet remaining in electrical contact therewith;

a third contact member for connection to a ground circuit;

the third contact member being disposed so that it is electricallyconnected to said conductive portion of said respective contact rod onlywhen said respective contact rod is in the upper position thereof;

whereby, when the two contact rods are in the lower positions thereof,an electrical circuit is established through the conductive portionsthereof and said conductive bridge, electrically connecting the twocontact members, and

whereby, when said respective contact rod is in the upper positionthereof and the other of said two contact rods is in the lower positionthereof, the contact member electrically contacted by said other contactrod is grounded;

the electric circuit breaker further comprising:

contact rod moving means selectively actuable to (a) raise and lower thetwo contact rods conjointly, and (b) raise and lower said respectivecontact rod independently of said other contact rod.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said mechanismcomprises two springs or groups of springs of which one actuates one rodwhile all of said springs actuate both rods simultaneously, the firstspring or group of springs being stressed and released by the firstcontrol member and all of said springs being stressed and released bythe second control member.
 3. Device according to claim 2, characterizedin that one of the control members consists of a lever provided with ahandle disposed externally of the device and adapted to pivot about afixed axis, an arm angularly rigid with said control lever and adaptedto move a finger engaging studs rigid with one end of said springswhereby the springs associated with the two sections of the mechanismcan be stressed jointly during the movement of said first control leverfrom one end to the other of its end positions while retaining the otherend of said springs through latch means and allowing said springs tooperate at the end of the setting movement by releasing said latch meansthrough the inherent movement of the arm thus actuating simultaneouslytwo rods.
 4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that thesecond control member consists of a lever provided with a handledisposed externally of the device and pivoted about a fixed axis whichmay be the same as that of the first control member, said second controllever being angularly solid with the end of a spring and permitting ofstressing the setting spring of that section of the mechanism which isassociated with only one of said contact rods when said second lever ismoved from one to the other of its two end positions while holding theother spring end by means of a latch and allowing the spring to expandat the end of the setting movement by releasing the latch as aconsequence of the inherent movement of said lever so as to actuate oneof said contact rods.
 5. Device according to claim 1, characterized inthat the two control members are pivotally mounted about a common axis,one of the control members being provided with a cam member engagingwith its contour a coupling member adapted to operate jointly the pushmembers of said contact rods and also to actuate the bolt of a latchingdevice for releasing one of said push members, the one control memberalso acting upon a link attached to a spring stressing strap, a latchconsisting of an arm fulcrumed to a fixed pivot pin being adapted tohold said second push member upon completion of the setting movement,said last-named latch being relEased during the setting movement of saidstrap so as to permit the downward movement of the second push memberand the coupling members of which a positioning stud engages a fixedguide member and is adapted to carry along the first push member. 6.Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the end of the secondmember has fulcrumed thereto a link attached to the setting lever. 7.Device according to claim 5, characterized in that clutch means areinterposed in the kinematic chain between each control member and thesetting strap.
 8. An electric circuit breaker for a high-voltage wiringsystem, comprising: a casing constructed of electrically insulatingmaterial; two movable contact rods per phase, vertically disposed withinthe casing for vertical sliding between an upper position and a lowerposition, each rod having a lower, electrically conductive portion andan upper, electrically insulating portion; two contact members in saidcasing for each respective two movable contact rods, each contact memberbeing constructed to connect with a respective conductor such as acablehead or bar exteriorly of the casing and each contact member beingpositioned for electrical connection with the conductive portion of arespective one of said contact rods upon movement of that contact rod tothe lower position thereof; a conducting bridge electrically connectingthe conductive portions of the two contact rods via means including atleast one annular contact on the bridge, said annular contact slidablyreceiving the respective contact rod conductive portion whereby saidrespective contact rod may be moved between the upper and lowerpositions thereof, moving relative to the conducting bridge, yetremaining in electrical contact therewith; a third contact member forconnection to a ground circuit; the third contact member being disposedso that it is electrically connected to said conductive portion of saidrespective contact rod only when said respective contact rod is in theupper position thereof; whereby, when the two contact rods are in thelower positions thereof, an electrical circuit is established throughthe conductive portions thereof and said conductive bridge, electricallyconnecting the two contact members, and whereby, when said respectivecontact rod is in the upper position thereof and the other of said twocontact rods is in the lower position thereof, the contact memberelectrically contacted by said other contact rod is grounded; theelectric circuit breaker further comprising: contact rod moving meansselectively actuable to (a) raise and lower the two contact rodsconjointly, and (b) raise and lower said respective contact rodindependently of said other contact rod.